Midland High's Andrew Wylie poses prior to the start of the 2011 football season in this Daily News file photo.

Midland High's Andrew Wylie poses prior to the start of the 2011 football season in this Daily News file photo.

Photo: Daily News File Photo

Image 4 of 8

Midland High's Andrew Wylie listens to his coaches in the locker room during a game against Saginaw Heritage in this 2011 Daily News file photo.

Midland High's Andrew Wylie listens to his coaches in the locker room during a game against Saginaw Heritage in this 2011 Daily News file photo.

Photo: Daily News File Photo

Image 5 of 8

Image 6 of 8

Four-year-old Andrew Wylie checks out a John Deere tractor at the Midland County Fair in this 1998 Daily News file photo.

Four-year-old Andrew Wylie checks out a John Deere tractor at the Midland County Fair in this 1998 Daily News file photo.

Photo: Daily News File Photo

Image 7 of 8

Andrew Wylie

Andrew Wylie

Photo: Nfl.com

Image 8 of 8

Midland High's Wylie close to making NFL roster

1 / 8

Back to Gallery

Midland High grad Andrew Wylie feels like he's playing the best football of his life. And in the process, he might have his best shot yet at making an NFL opening day roster.

Wylie, who graduated from MHS in 2012 and went on to play for four years at Eastern Michigan University, is listed second on the depth chart at left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs after spending much of the past 17 months bouncing from one NFL team to another. On Thursday, he received the chance to play in an NFL preseason game for the first time since last fall — and he got plenty of playing time.

"I really had a good time being out there," said Wylie, who played the final three quarters of the Chiefs' 17-10 loss to the Houston Texans. "I was glad I got to be out there for three-quarters of the game. I thought I had a really good game, and I had a really good time playing alongside the veterans and the rookies. I played some left tackle and then some right tackle, and I felt like I had a pretty good game."

During those three quarters, Wylie was blocking for former University of Michigan quarterback Chad Henne, who, in his 11th year in the NFL, is the Chiefs' No. 2 QB, as well as for veteran Matt McGloin from Penn State and rookie Chase Litton from Marshall.

Kansas City's starting left tackle is former Central Michigan University standout and 2013 first overall draft pick Eric Fisher.

"Eric is a great veteran to play behind," Wylie said. "He's a Michigan boy and went to Central Michigan, and so we relate in a lot of ways. He's a very good football player and a great guy as well. He's teaching me a lot about playing the position."

Wylie added that he has improved considerably as an offensive lineman in the past year.

"There's a big difference from last year, being a rookie in the preseason, to this being my second year (as a pro)," said Wylie, who has spent short stints with the Baltimore Ravens, the Indianapolis Colts, the Cleveland Browns, and the Los Angeles Chargers.

"I've learned a lot, and the speed of the game has gone down (for me), and my technique is developing more and more. After being around so many O-line coaches (in the past several months), I've got a different perspective on blocking, and I'm trying to accumulate as much knowledge as I can."

At 6-foot-6 and 309 pounds, Wylie said he feels "pretty confident" that 2018 is the year when he will make an opening day NFL roster.

"In my rookie year, I did bounce around a lot ... and that gets a little hectic and a little stressful, because with this job, nothing's guaranteed," said Wylie, who was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad last December and added to their active roster on Jan. 8. "But everyplace I go, I have high expectations of myself, and I continue to work hard. I think the Chiefs is where I'm meant to be.

"Kansas City has given me a legitimate opportunity here. They've given me a real chance," he added. "I'm really close with the (other guys on the) O-line. It's a really good group of guys, and I'm having a lot of fun playing here."

Of course, Wylie's goal is to survive the cuts which will come after Kansas City's final preseason game on Aug. 30 against Green Bay, when the team will trim its roster from 90 players down to 53.

"That's obviously one of the bigger goals I've had for myself. Ever since I've played in the NFL, that's been my goal," he said of making an opening day roster. "Last year I didn't get that done, but this year I feel I've made that step forward skill-wise, and I'm looking forward to busting my tail and getting that active roster spot."

Wylie, who will turn 24 on Aug. 19, says that through all the ups and downs of an undrafted free agent trying to make a roster, he is "still in love with the game of football."

"It hasn't lost any of that excitement or fun for me," he said. " ... It's fun being out there and going up against the biggest names in the league, guys who are established in the NFL. Going out there and having that real competition is so fun for me."

The Chiefs' next preseason game is Friday at Atlanta at 7 p.m. The team will open the regular season on Sept. 9 at the LA Chargers.